Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit witnessed a Formula 1 first on Monday night as Pirelli tested its new wet tyre compounds on an artificially wet track under floodlights.
Having conducted its previous test sessions in the second half of last year with its dry tyre compounds, F1’s new tyre supplier is using its final private session before the start of pre-season testing to work on its intermediate and wet-weather compounds.
On Monday evening the Italian firm spent the six hours before midnight running under the lights at Yas Marina, with the track having been doused with water to simulate the kind of wet conditions likely to be experienced at various races during the season.
Pedro de la Rosa carried out the running in the Toyota TF109 Pirelli has used for all of its private tests, with the Spaniard to repeat the same programme on Tuesday night as the tyre firm aims to rack up more than 1,000km in the demanding track conditions.
Pirelli’s F1 director Paul Hembery explained the decision to run in the unique conditions, saying: “This is a unique opportunity to witness a Formula 1 test car on track at night in the wet and on hot tarmac, in an entirely floodlit setting.

“We decided to do it this way because we want to challenge our rain tyres with the most difficult and demanding of all situations. And who knows, perhaps it could be a good idea for a future grand prix?
“These tests will provide us with useful information to finalise our tyre development process for Formula 1.
“It is seven months since we started developing our tyres and five since we started with the actual testing.
“We are very satisfied with the results so far and we have also collected very positive feedback from the teams.”
Although F1’s teams sampled the in-development Pirelli rubber in the post-season Abu Dhabi test last November, the start of pre-season testing in Valencia on February 1 will be the first time teams have been able to run the 2011 compounds on their cars for the new campaign.
“Soon it will be time to get started in Spain where the first official test of the season will take place,” Hembery added.
“We will use this opportunity to gather more feedback from teams and drivers and be ready for the Bahrain Grand Prix in March.”